Build quality of R5 - what is your take? Locked

Dropped my R5 from the tripod and it survive with visual damage only as confirmed by Canon

Having owned the 5D3, 5DS, the original R and now the R5, I found the R5 slightly more sturdy than the 5D3, about the same level as the 5DS with its solid tripod mount.  It has none of the squeezable plastic feel of the R.

Compared to the 5D series DSLR, I only worry about its flip out screen.  One clumsy bump may knock it off.

As far as sound goes, what I don't like is the rattle of the IBIS. We can only hope that Canon did their job right and it is durable.  The simple click sound of the shutter surprised me.  I was expecting the "professional" thud  of a heavy camera.

Dan W wrote:

Larawanista wrote:

Light Pilgrim wrote:

Folks, I am very interested in how you assess the quality of the R5 as a camera when it comes to the way it is built. I had 40D, 5D MKIIm 5D MKIII and now R5 and so far R5 is most probably the worst of them when it comes to the way it is built.

But then again, it could be my case only and my perception.

I miss the tank-like build quality of the 5DMIV but not its heft and weight. From the first R body I owned, it did feel to be more fragile than the 5DMIV. However, in actual use, my R (and now R6) have taken as much beating without any problem (used it in dusty conditions, under the rain, etc) as long as I pair it with weather sealed lens too. Even my RP has been able to withstand the elements including heavy snow in Sapporo.

Maybe you were unlucky, which is no excuse for a sloppy camera build especially from Canon.

I think you might be confusing weight with sturdiness. I had the 5D3 for many years before moving to the R. The R doesn't feel as sturdy but mostly it felt Rebelish if that makes sense. Not a bad thing, just not what I liked after owning a few pro bodies. Now that I have the R5, I feel back at home with the familiarity of the 5D.

The R5 is built with a magnesium alloy frame, just like the 5D's, about as sturdy and light as you can get. The Glass prism that are in the higher end DSLR's weigh a lot as you know from your 5D. That I don't miss at all. What I do miss with the mirrorless is the old mirror slap sound when you click the shutter. It's stupid I know I but been shooting for over 45 years with 35mm SLR's and DSLR's and that sound is almost expected, but instead we now hear a squishy sorta sound from the shutter leafs. Again its stupid and I'm not complaining, its just the way things work now...

It's a shame some folks have issues with this camera. IMHO it's about as solid as a camera gets outside of the 1D's and maybe the new R3 coming out this month (maybe lol). I do feel for Light Pilgrim, no one likes receiving a defective product.

You don't like the weight if the mirror mechanism but miss the sound 😁

As I wrote, it's a perception that DSLRs are of tougher build quality. On actual use, my R has been bumped / scratched, dropped, rained on, etc. And it's still working smoothly. My R6 has gotten quite wet too, but no bumping on walls or trees yet.

Light Pilgrim wrote:

Interesting that still 20% think it is not on the same level as, say, 5D MKIV. I do agree it is not. Maybe it is related to pandemic, rushed product and issues with resources, processes, components, quality control

I don’t agree that this product was rushed. I’ve shot Canon since 1992 which include several 5D (II, III, and IV), 7D II, and 1D IV and 1Dx and started shooting Sony mirrorless in 2013 all the way up to their latest A9, a7RIV, and others. Other cameras include Fuji as well. The quality seems consistent with other prosumer bodies in the mid 2000s.

These cameras have the highest speed sensors and sophisticated AF systems and support both stills and vidio as well as a full array of interconnect capabilities not included in the past. Ultimately the are really more complex than anything a generation ago.

Light Pilgrim wrote:

Interesting that still 20% think it is not on the same level as, say, 5D MKIV. I do agree it is not. Maybe it is related to pandemic, rushed product and issues with resources, processes, components, quality control

It's a good example of confirmation bias here. The poll really doesn't matter here, does it. Your mind is made up no matter what the consensus or discussion is, and you are projecting it as far as fantasies of systemic issues without any consideration that you may have just been unlucky?

ivancook wrote:

Pretty pointless poll since most of us only have experience with one or two R5 bodies. You should email Lensrentals and see what their experience has been so far.

Speak for yourself. I personally drop test every R5 before it leaves the factory and the only one that acted weird was the OP's but I let it ship anyway.

surrephoto wrote:

Perceived build quality is usually distinct from actual durability. I would be more concerned about the sensor stabilizer's long term reliability.

I worry less about the IBIS and more about the lenses IS running 100% of the time. The IBIS was designed for that, the lenses were not.

I'm in the better than past body camp. It feels to be engineered to the same level, but losses some known wear items, especially the way I shoot, in E-shutter. So it has effectively lost two known wear related repairs and will no-doubt improves it resistance to failure. To play Devil's Advocate, I would mention the thermals of the camera are high higher than any other 5 series. Not specific to video, but simply shooting stills. This is the first camera from Canon that I have been able to feel it heating up. I suspect that's the EVF (including the processor to run it) and to a small extent the CFExpress card don't help, but I have not had an actual problem with it so far, however, it should be said heat is a enemy of most feats of engineering. Just something to keep in mind.

One negative I'd point out is the finish, it is a little more prone to wear. That said, its not really a negative as all surface are continuously wearing upon touch regardless of the camera, but the R5/R6 have a deeper texture that loses its original finish quicker than the older Canons I've had. Honestly though, that's a nit-pick.